QUARTZ: Quality Of Life After Radiotherapy And-or Steriods
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$63,000.00
Summary
Lung cancer is the commonest cause of cancer related death worldwide. In this group, one in four people will be diagnosed with brain metastases during their illness. This makes brain metastases a major health resource issue. For this group, the diagnosis of brain metastases is often associated with survival of less than 3 months. It is therefore important that this short survival period, which is often compromised by the effects of the disease, is not compromised further with the use of potentia ....Lung cancer is the commonest cause of cancer related death worldwide. In this group, one in four people will be diagnosed with brain metastases during their illness. This makes brain metastases a major health resource issue. For this group, the diagnosis of brain metastases is often associated with survival of less than 3 months. It is therefore important that this short survival period, which is often compromised by the effects of the disease, is not compromised further with the use of potentially toxic treatment. Whole Brain Radiotherapy (WBRT) is often used to treat these people. There is no current evidence to confirm that WBRT improves their quality of life. Most people with brain metastases routinely receive steroid medicine either as sole treatment or in addition to WBRT. Despite their potential side effects, steroids can control the symptoms of brain metastases and improve a person's quality of life. It is possible that the addition of WBRT adds nothing to steroids used alone or that only subgroups of these people benefit from WBRT. If these subgroups could be identified, treatment could be better tailored to the individual and minimise unnecessary hospital visits for these terminally ill patients. This could also potentially benefit the oncology community by translating into reduced radiotherapy waiting times. This is a unique, international collaborative study which aims to enroll 1000 people over a 3 year period from the UK, Australia and Canada .The main research question in this study is: Do the overall disadvantages of WBRT for lung cancer sufferers outweigh the advantages? It will be comparing the overall combination of quality and duration of survival in a) people receiving steroids and optimal palliative care alone to b) people receiving steroids, optimal palliative care and WBRT. The secondary research aims are to compare the two treatment groups in terms of symptoms experienced by the person and treatment side effects.Read moreRead less
Psycho-social Resilience, Vulnerability And Suicide Prevention: A Mentoring Approach To Modifying Suicide Risk For Remote Indigenous Students At Boarding School
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$860,497.00
Summary
There is not much evidence about what works in suicide prevention for Indigenous young people. This means that social and health services struggle to know where or how to invest their efforts to avert suicide risk. This study responds to the potential of increased suicide risk for Indigenous secondary school students who are compelled to transition from remote communities to boarding schools. It evaluates mentoring approaches that promote psycho-social resilience against suicide risk.
Promoting Independence Through Quality Dementia Care At Home (PITCH)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,541,611.00
Summary
Many people with dementia live at home with support from both paid and unpaid carers. There are currently limited opportunities for carers of people with dementia to receive education and training in how to communicate, manage symptoms and deliver person-centred care. This project will develop and trial a education and training program for front-line home care workers that aims to improve quality of care and quality of life for people with dementia and their carers.
Improving Detection And Management Of DEmentia In Older Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islanders Attending Primary Care (IDEA-PC)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,172,422.00
Summary
This project will co-design, implement and evaluate a nationwide culturally responsive model of care for primary care professionals to optimise the detection and management of dementia and cognitive impairment in older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Rates of dementia are triple those of other communities and this research aims to optimise the well- being for older people with dementia, their families and communities throughout their journey of care.
At the moment, people with dementia are not offered rehabilitation, even though this may help them communicate, function and live better. I will test and advocate for rehabilitation interventions immediately post-diagnosis and as part of home and residential care. As a leader in dementia research at the University of Sydney I will grow my research team and lead new cross-disciplinary collaborations. I will also continue to influence policy and services.
Music Therapy Interventions For Dementia: Cluster Randomised Control Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,014,430.00
Summary
Music therapy interventions are increasingly used in aged care facilities across Australia, however Australian-based research that tests its effectiveness is scarce. In this study, we track the impact of group music therapy and group singing on levels of depression, cognitive function, quality of life, and other symptoms of dementia. By providing music therapy programs across sites in Victoria, NSW and Queensland, we will also evaluate the cost effectiveness of the intervention.
Optimising Medication Use To Maintain Or Improve Quality Of Life In Aged Care Facility Residents With And Without Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,627.00
Summary
This research aims to explore and understand how medications impact on the quality of life of aged care facility residents with and without dementia. The outcomes of this research will guide health professionals as they improve how medications are used in this population, with the aim of maintaining or improving quality of life. This research will also explore how these outcomes can be successfully included in regular practice and widely used nationally and internationally.
ELders AT Ease Program (ELATE): A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Sustainable And Scalable Mental Health Service For Australian Residential Aged Care Facilities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$999,551.00
Summary
Elders living in residential facilities suffer significant levels of depression or anxiety. This study examines an innovative program to improve mental health of residents living in such facilities. The program involves counselling, staff training and family support. The study uses a cluster randomised controlled trial of facilities to evaluate the impact of ELATE: Elders at Ease Program” on residents’ psychological wellbeing, staff knowledge, family carer stress and, health care costs.
BPSD-CARE: A Person-centred Approach To Managing Behavioural And Psychological Symptoms Of Dementia In Residential Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,627.00
Summary
In residential aged care many people with dementia experience disturbing behavioural problems such as wandering, aggression or sleep disturbance. Not only the person with dementia but also other residents, family and staff find these symptoms disturbing. This study will adapt and trial a structured staff training program from Sweden to reduce behavioural problems in people with dementia, improve wellbeing for the person with dementia and give staff better skills to care for residents.